Are you new to this world of “skin care”? It’s okay sis. I was completely lost not to long ago myself.
My definition of skin care was hot water and a towel in the morning and some Vaseline so my face didn’t dry out. Horrible, I know. I did some digging, talked to a few experts in the field, and ultimately came up with a good routine!
Now the products you use will vary depending on your skin type so keep that in mind. But regardless of your skin-type, there are a few essential products you’ll need when building your arsenal. And before you rush out and spend loads of money at your local Sephora or Ulta, don’t forget about place like Burlington, T.J. Maxx, Ross, or Marshalls. They often have entire aisles dedicated to skincare and you can find some top of the line products for half of the cost!
Water
Overlooked and underappreciated staple! In order to have that dewy hydrated look going on sis, you actually have to be hydrated. Amazon carries a gallon a day bottles with the time stamps. I got mine some time ago and it actually makes drinking a gallon a day less painful.
Cleanser
Wash your face! Our skin comes into contact with so much dirt and pollution throughout the day. Washing your face once in the morning and once before bed is ideal to avoid clogged pores, dull skin, and acne. If you have oily or acne prone skin, a foaming liquid cleanser will probably do the trick for you! If you have dry skin, a cream or lotion based cleanser is your answer. If you have sensitive/combination skin, try an oil based cleanser. Here is a list of great cleansers for dry skin, oily skin, and combination skin.
Toner
Okay, so what is a toner? Like what does it even do? You sound just like me girl. Think of toners as a supplement! After you finish washing your face these thin liquids give your skin and extra shot of nutrients and allows the other products in your regimen to better absorb. A toner is ALWAYS used directly after your cleanser and before any other products. Pour a few drops in your hand and swipe it on for the most efficient use of your product. You can also use a cotton ball too, no biggie, just don’t be heavy handed! Cotton balls tend to absorb a lot of your product.
Face Serum
Again, what is a serum and why is it necessary right? So think of serums as another ally for your skin here to help you prevent moisture loss, brighten dull skin, decrease dark spots, stimulate elasticity, and calm redness and irritation. They are used to target specific skin concerns and are filled with concentrated does of activated ingredients intended to penetrate deep within the skin, so remember not to mix it with your moisturizer. Each product gets applied one by one! Usually by the time I get here my face starts taking on that plum and lush look, so I definitely recommend not skipping out on this product when building your bag.
Moisturizer
This is the step where your face is left feeling so smooth and soft. When you use your moisturizer its primary function is to hydrate and soften your skin. As we get older, our skin starts to slow down on its ability to retain moisture. So we have to help out along the way! Different skin types call for different moisturizers. If you have oily skin, a gel moisturizer is probably the way to go. Normal or combination? You should be fine with a lotion based moisturizer. Dry skin is usually be served by creams.
Face Oil
Alright so I spent 30 minutes in the aisle trying to figure out the difference between a “face serum” and “face oil”. Like what’s the difference? Serums help repair and protect and oils provide nutrition and boost hydration. Oils mimic our skins natural sebum production so they are really effective! When adding an oil to your regime always remember a drop or two does the trick!
A Product Bag
Any makeup bag or repurposed tote will do the trick! I highly recommend storing all of your products in one bag. It allows you to grab your bag and get right to your routine! And if you’re ever on the go, everything is already always in one place. The main thing with any routine is to be consistent. What better way to help yourself do that by keeping things convenient?